THE GRACE OF FORGIVENESS

Luke 7:36-50

Key Verse: 7:50

* JESUS AND A SINFUL WOMAN (36-38)

1. Where was Jesus and what was he doing when this woman came in? How is this woman described? What kind of life might she have led?

2. Why might it have been difficult for her to come into that environment? Why did she come? What can we learn?

3. What did the woman bring? What did she do? What do her tears tell us about her? What might the alabaster jar of perfume mean to her? What can we learn from her?

4. Why might her actions have embarrassed Jesus? How did he evidently receive her? Why did he ignore the criticism that her coming was sure to arouse? (Comp. Mt.26:12,13; see Ps.51:16,17)

* JESUS AND THE PHARISEE (39-46)

5. What did the Pharisee think about Jesus when he saw this woman's actions and Jesus' attitude? What does this reveal about Simon? What story did Jesus tell him, and what question did Jesus ask? (40-43) How did he answer?

6. Look at 44-46. How did Jesus contrast the actions of the woman with those of Simon the Pharisee? Who did Jesus praise and who did he rebuke and why?

7. What was Simon's spiritual problem? (Think about him in the light of Job 1:21 and Ro.1:21) What did he not know about himself? (Compare Paul, 1Ti.1:15; 1Co.15:9,10)

* JESUS GAVE HER THE GRACE OF FORGIVENESS (47-50j

8. What did Jesus say to Simon about this woman? (47) What did he teach about the spiritual meaning of this woman's act of faith? Why did she love Jesus so much?

9. How might most people have interpreted her actions? Why didn't he rebuke her or tell her to stop crying? How did he help her? (48) Why was this the best help for her?

10. Why was Jesus pleased by her faith? What did the guests think? How did Jesus bless her? What does this mean? (Ro.5:1; Jn.14:27)